SEZs driving diverse investments, sustainable market linkages for farmers: IPDC Deputy CEO
Addis Ababa, May 11, 2025 (FMC) — Special Economic Zones (#SEZs) in Ethiopia are yielding tangible results by expanding diverse investment and creating sustainable market linkages for farmers, Deputy CEO of the Industry Parks Development Corporation (IPDC) said.
The IPDC highlighted that following the national reforms, Ethiopia’s capacity to execute government projects within timeframe and quality standards has increased.
The Deputy CEO, Zemen Junedi, stated that the economic reforms have brought about fundamental amendments on operational regulations and directives.
He noted that the reforms have addressed bottlenecks in the investment sector, creating conducive investment options for foreign developers.
Zemen reported that out of 177 available sheds within the SEZs, 150 have been occupied by both domestic and foreign investors.
He added that SEZs in locations such as Jimma, Bahir Dar, and Hawassa are attracting new investments.
As a result, the corporation successfully attracted 80 new investments to the SEZs in the past nine months, exceeding its target, he stated.
Zemen further explained that the focus has shifted from a predominantly textile and garment-centered approach to diversifying and expanding into various investment options.
Accordingly, efforts are underway to integrate the SEZs with their respective local resources to integrate operations in diverse investment sectors.
He highlighted the logistics and trade initiatives launched in the Dire Dawa Free Trade Zone as a new concept, emphasizing its significant role in facilitating diverse investment.
Zemen told local news agency that the evolution of industrial parks into Special Economic Zones has not only fostered diverse investment but also generated extensive employment opportunities and economic linkages.
He reported that sustainable market linkages have been established by directly linking over 85,000 farmers with industries across all SEZs.
Within the past nine months, a foreign company specializing in agricultural products processing in the Bahir Dar Special Industry Zone commenced operations with an investment of 1.5 million US dollars, Zemen Junedi noted.
He also cited a company in the Jimma Special Economic Zone involved in processing and adding value to avocado products, which has not only boosted diverse investment but also created employment opportunities and linkages for the local community.
The Deputy CEO remarked that Ethiopia is becoming a leading and preferred investment destination in Africa, attributing the comprehensive infrastructure available in the Special Economic Zones, which has attracted investors’ interest.
Beyond textiles and garments, the SEZs are now strategically focusing on other global priority sectors such as renewable energy, he added.
Zemen mentioned that a foreign company engaged in solar energy in the Hawassa Special Economic Zone, with a registered capital of 100 million US dollars, has started operations, this achievement has also been recorded over the last nine months.